Guzmania plant named &#39;Deplagnum&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Guzmania plant named ‘Deplagnum’ characterized by big inflorescence size; purple inflorescence; flat top of inflorescence; and dark, wide green leaves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofGuzmania plant, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘Deplagnum’. The genus Guzmania is a member of the family Bromeliaceae.

[0002] Guzmania comprise a genus of over 100 species of herbaceousevergreen perennials suitable for cultivation in the home or underglass. Guzmania are predominantly epiphytic with a few terrestrialspecies and are native to the tropics. For the most part the speciesvary in diameter from 7 or 8 inches to 3 or 4 feet and have rosettes ofglossy, smooth edged leaves.

[0003] Floral bracts of Guzmania frequently have brilliant colors andmay last for many months. The range of flower colors for Guzmania isgenerally from yellow through orange but may also include flame red andred-purple. White or yellow, tubular, three petalled flowers may alsoappear on a stem or within the leaf rosette but are usually short lived.

[0004] Guzmania may be advantageously grown as potted plants forgreenhouse or home use. Desirably the plants are shaded from directsunlight during the spring to autumn period, the central vase-like partof the leaf rosette is normally filled with water.

[0005] Guzmania is native to tropical America. Leaves of the Guzmaniaare usually formed as basal rosettes which are stiff and entire and inseveral vertical ranks. Guzmania have terminal spikes or panicles whichare often bracted with petals united in a tube about as long as thecalyx.

[0006] Asexual propagation of Guzmania is frequently done through theuse of tissue culture practices. Propagation can also be from off-shootswhich are detached from the mother plant, and may be grown in anappropriate soil or bark mixture.

[0007] The new cultivar ‘Deplagnum’ is the product of a planned breedingprogram and was originated by the inventor Ronald Bunnik, as a mutantfrom an unknown parent during 1995 in Pijnacker, The Netherlands. Theselection comprising the new variety was chosen after commencement offlowering in 1995.

[0008] The new cultivar was asexually propagated by taking cuttings bythe inventor in Pijnacker, The Netherlands in 1995. Asexual propagationby tissue culture was initiated in 1999 by Deroose Plants, in Evergem,Belgium. Continuous asexual propagation has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar‘Deplagnum’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be basic characteristics of ‘Deplagnum’ which incombination distinguish this Guzmania as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0010] 1. big inflorescence size;

[0011] 2. purple inflorescence;

[0012] 3. flat top inflorescence;

[0013] 4. dark and wide green leaves

[0014] ‘Deplagnum’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varysignificantly with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in genotype.

[0015] Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor,the most similar in comparison to ‘Deplagnum’ is the parental cultivar‘Indian’. In comparison to ‘Indian’, the inflorescence of ‘Deplagnum’ isflatter on the top, is much bigger and darker colored. Guzmania‘Deplagnum’ also has darker green and wider leaves than ‘Indian’. Theflower shape of ‘Deplagnum’ is more compact than the flower shape of‘Indian’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016] The accompanying photographic illustration shows a 19-month-old‘Deplagnum’ plant following growth under appropriate growing conditions,with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type.The first drawing shows a side view of the plant (right) and a close upof the inflorescence (left). The second drawing shows a side view of theplant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following observations, measurements and values describeplants grown in Pijnacker, The Netherland under greenhouse conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in horticulturalpractice. ‘Deplagnum’ is grown in a commercial greenhouse under 21degrees Celsius day and night. No artificial lighting or photoperiodictreatments are conducted but ‘Deplagnum’ is forced into flowering byadding acethylene. Highest temperature resistance is 40 degrees Celsius,the lowest 5 degrees Celsius. Direct sunlight has to be avoided becauseit causes burning of the leaves. The following fertilizer is added: 1part nitrogen, 0.5 parts phosphor. 3 parts Kalium and 0.2 partsMagnesium. Water should not contain too much salts. From the start oftissue culture it takes five years to produce a commercial plant. Theamount of time needed to produce a flower depends on the amount ofacethylene is added. The flowers have a tenability of up to six monthsdepending on the environment they are grown and kept in.

[0018] Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (RHS), except where general colors of ordinary significanceare used.

CLASSIFICATION:

[0019]Commercial.—Guzmania c.v. Deplagnum

[0020] PARENTAGE: Unknown parentage

[0021] PROPAGATION: Tissue culture

PLANT:

[0022]Form.—Upright, leaves in basal rosette

[0023]Height.—Average 42 cm

[0024]Diameter.—Average 50 cm

[0025]Growth Habit.—Upright, growth moderate

FOLIAGE:

[0026]Size.—Leaves have an average length of 31 cm and an average widthof 4 cm (measured at the middle of a leaf).

[0027]Shape.—Linear, tips acute

[0028]Surface Texture.—Smooth, glossy

[0029]Color.—Leaf color upper side dark yellow-green, closest too butslightly darker than RHS 147 A. Leaf color under side yellow-green RHS147 A.

BRACTS:

[0030]Length/Width/Color.—Length average 9 cm; width average 3.2 cm(measured at ⅓from the base), tips acute, upper side color greyed-purplecloset to RHS 187 B (slightly more reddish), under side coloryellow-green RHS 187 C. Lower bracts tipped green RHS 147 A to almostentirely green (only greyed-purple at the base).

[0031]General shape/Arrangement.—Broad lanceolate, arranged alternately,tips horizontal to slightly bent downwards in an average angle of 0°(=horizontal) to 40°.

[0032]Number.—Terminal Bracts: Average 12 Primary Bracts: Average 7Scape Bracts: Average 7

[0033]Texture.—Smooth, glossy

[0034]Margin.—Entire

[0035]Scape.—Length average 25 cm; width average 1 cm (measuredapproximately ⅓from the base of the primary bracts)

[0036] BRANCH SPIKES: Spikes (scapes) unbranched

[0037] INFLORESCENCE: No observations made to date

[0038] REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: No flowers observed to date

[0039] ROOTS: Thin, very well-branched, strong to moderately strong,color brown RHS 199 C

[0040] SEED CHARACTERISTICS: No fruits or seeds observed to date

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Guzmania plant named ‘Deplagnum’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.